CCTV Camera Clusters / Trees
Author: John Honovich, Published on Nov 01, 2012Are they a symbol of Big Brother, a good design practice or something in between? Here's a real world example of clustering multiple surveillance cameras on a single pole:
They look a little like leaves on a CCTV tree. While this does happen, it is uncommon.
Benefits of CCTV Camera Clusters
We see a few benefits of this approach:
- Lower installation cost: Instead of running cabling to 4 different locations, just a single run is required.
- Dedicated coverage: Instead of a PTZ that only looks at one spot at a time, you get dedicated coverage of a 360 area.
- Deterrent effect: It is hard for people to miss 4 cameras on a pole.
Drawbacks of CCTV Camera Clusters
However, there are also drawbacks:
- Worse Angles: Because the cameras are all mounted on a single spot, the angles of incidents to people and cars may be worse than putting them at different locations aimed directly at key traffic flows.
- Expensive product cost: 4 cameras with 4 outdoor housings, VMS licenses, etc. is costly. Perhaps a panoramic would be better in such a location, it certainly would be much less expensive.
- Aesthetic problems: It is so overt that it could make people uncomfortable or unsafe.
What Do You Think?
I am genuinely curious to hear from those who are using these in real deployments. Any feedback?
Most Recent Industry Reports
The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.